Place à l'opéra Series : Manon, by Massenet

Marianne Fiset. Photo: Maxime Tremblay.

Manon is about to enter the convent when she meets the Chevalier des Grieux. The lovestruck couple flees to Paris and into poverty. Manon's downfall begins when she falls into a dissolute life and is condemned to exile. She is redeemed when she dies in the arms of the man she loves…

This time around, the Place à l'opéra series presents a discussion on Massenet's Manon, a classic piece of the French opera repertoire. The Manon opera offers a subtle balance of lightness and gravity which parallels the heroine's distressed and carefree disposition, as will be explained by Frédéric Charbonneau, associate professor, Department of French Language and Literature. McGill University, Sylvia L'Écuyer, musicologist and host of L'opéra du samedi at Espace Musique radio.

Host: Pierre Vachon, musicologist and director of communications for the Opéra de Montréal

In collaboration with the Opéra de Montréal and the Segal Centre for Performing Arts

Auditorium of the Grande Bibliothèque Thursday, May 9, 7 pmFree • It is possible to reserve a seat ($4 ticket fee)